by Eryn Ryans
After some time when I had not said anything, my mother continued. “There is to be a ceremony tonight, where you will be named Alpha as well. You will then help Aaric lead our Pack, alongside the Alpha’s of the other Packs who have come to help us in the War that is brewing.”
“War, what war?” I finally asked.
“We have tried to keep this from you as long as we could, but we werewolves have an enemy that is threatening our way of life and the lives of the humans in the town surrounding this area, that we must protect no matter the cost,” she responded.
“What enemy and why can’t we just talk to them?” I responded back.
My mother let out a long sigh, “Please understand that usually, you would have learned all of this over time.” She sat down across from me and continued. “The enemy we have to protect the town from are Vampires.”
I just looked at her as if she had spoken a strange language for a bit then when I felt I could speak without sounding like a child, I said. “Vampires, you mean they exist?” My mother had the decency to smile at my question.
“Yes, Allysonn, as we are here today living and breathing, Vampires do exist.”
I sat straighter in the chair I was sitting in. “Okay, I understand, but why do I have to marry Aaric. Why can’t I just be Alpha next to him?” I asked. My mother looked down at the floor as if she was hoping the floor would give her the answer to my questions.
“Allysonn, you have to understand that you were destined for this even before you were born. There is nothing that either you or I can do to stop it. I know you are still new to all of this, but this is your destiny.”
I just looked out the window after she said what she had to say. There were way too many questions floating around in my head, and I could tell I was not going to get the answers I wanted to hear. I didn’t know my mother well enough to tell her how I was beginning to feel towards Aaric since I still didn’t really understand it myself. I mean yes growing up I had boyfriends, but did I love any of them, at least not that all-consuming love that would last a lifetime love. That was what I wanted. Now I was being told that I was destined to be married to a man and it didn’t matter if I loved him or not. What was I supposed to say to that?
After a bit, Kane came back in and spoke quietly to my mother. After he left, my mother turned to me and said,
“Allysonn it’s time for you to get ready for the Ceremony. The clothes and ceremonial jewelry that you need to wear have been placed in your room. Would you like me to help you get ready?” I looked up at her, and somehow it looked like she had aged in a very short period. As much as I did not want to do this, I knew that this was my destiny. “Yes, I would really like your help,” I stated as I stood up to leave.
When we had gotten to my room and I had seen the clothes and jewelry that I was to wear, I was so glad that I had agreed to have my mother help me get dressed. The dress I was to wear was a tan color, covered in a multitude of multicolored beads in patterns that could almost be said to be like the Native American Art that I had read about in books in school. The collar of the dress was rounded, while the sleeves were covered in what felt like soft white fur of some sort. The bottom of the dress was cut jagged but was hemmed perfectly just above my knees. The jewelry complemented the dress perfectly. The necklace was not overwhelming fancy but was made of simple shells, with a huge Silver Dollar as the main piece at the middle of the necklace. The bracelet matched the necklace and the earrings were miniature silver dollars. I had missed having my mother help me get ready for dances growing up and this kind of made for that. Kind of.
We didn’t speak just quietly got me dressed as I believe we both had too much we needed to say to the other and just didn’t want to ruin the moment. At least I had so much I wanted to say to her. My hair was done up in a French Braid with a band of shells holding it together and shells woven into the braid as well. When I was all done up, I kind of felt like a beautiful Indian Princess.
Just as my mother finished with my hair there was a knock on the door jam. We both turned around and it was Aaric.
“Wow, you are so beautiful Allysonn?” Aaric said to me.
I blushed at his compliment, “Thank you Aaric, you don’t look to bad yourself,” was my response.
“Abigail, do you mind if I speak with Ally alone for a few minutes before the Ceremony.” he asked my mother.
“No of course not Aaric,” she said, she then leaned down to me and whispered in my ear. “Ally I will be right outside if you need me.” Then she left the room quietly. I turned around to face Aaric who was standing by my bed looking so handsome in the outfit he had on. His was sort of like mine. The shirt and pants were also tan in color and covered in multicolored beads in a different pattern than on mine. He also wore jewelry, however, his had feathers instead of silver dollars. He was silent for a good bit.
“Aaric was there something you wanted to say?” I asked him.
“May I sit down?” he asked at first.
“Yes of course, please do,” I replied.
“Ally, has you mother told you about your destiny?” Confusion whipped through me at his words.
“That we are supposed to be married?" My answer was whispered as I sat there uncertain of where this was going.
“Uh, yeah.” Running his hand through his short black hair he leaned to his elbows as if uncomfortable.
“Yes, she has, and I understand if you don’t want to be.”
“That is actually what I want to talk to you about.” Crushed by his words I tried to keep my face from reflecting the emotions my mind was cartwheeling through.
“Oh,” I whispered not knowing what else to say.
“Yes, I care for you a great deal.” His brown eyes laid into mine like he was bearing his soul to me.
“Oh... wow... Aaric, I care for you a ... a great deal as well.” I bumbled the words back to him as if they weren't the truest statement I had ever let slip from my lips.
“Okay, so we could possibly talk about it in the future.” He questioned tentativly feeling out where I stood on the subject.
“Maybe... but not tonight...I just learned about it and we haven’t even kissed yet...” I jokingly pushed at his muscular shoulder as I laughed off the situation.
“Right.” He replied and the there was a knock on the door and my mother said through the door. “It’s time to head down to the Ceremonial Grounds.”
“Well I guess we better head on out.” I said.
“Yes, May I escort you?” he asked standing up and offering his hand.
“Yes, thank you.” I said taking his hand.
When we finally made it to the Ceremonial Grounds, I was amazed at how extravagant the Grounds looked with all the fragrant flowers and lighted with all the tiki torches, and that they had less than a day’s time to put this all together. I saw Falcon standing like a proud father next to the stage where Aaric and I would become Co-Alpha’s of the Phoenix Warriors.
I was glad that Aaric had come to talk to me before we came down here. It had at least put my mind at ease about marrying him at least a little bit. These last few months, we had really gotten close and if I was being totally honest with myself, I just can’t imagine my life without him now.
“Excuse me Allysonn, the ceremony is about to begin.” my mother said to bring me out of my thoughts.
“Oh yes, let me get into place,” I said with a smile to her. She kissed my cheek gently and I turned towards her and hugged her for the first time since I had found out that she was alive and whispered in her ear, “I love you, Mom.” I then turned and walked towards the stage where Falcon helped me up the stairs and handed me off to Aaric. As soon as I was in place, the Ceremonial Leader began with this:
“We are gathered here today to not only honor our Ancestors, and their Wise Counsel, but to make one of our own a Leader in her own right. Allysonn Rose Blackwood has only recently become one of us but has shown great progress in her training as well as it is her destiny to be
come the Alpha of one of the greatest Packs that has ever been formed.” the Ceremonial Leader stated before turning to me.
“Allysonn Rose Blackwood, today you are vowing to lead the Phoenix Warriors as Alpha alongside Aaric Jaymes Layton, until the day you die. The life of an Alpha is one of service, not of self. Do you swear on all that we hold sacred, on the bonds that forged by our pack and the blood that unites our bond to protect it with all that you are? To give the best of yourself to the pack and for the pack that you may lead and be worthy of the mantle entrusted to you? Do you also promise to help protect the humans around this Pack, who do not know what we truly are and protect our way of life with your own?”
I couldn’t help but smile and look into Aaric’s eyes the entire time the Ceremonial Leader was stating what I was to vow to, before I stated loud and clearly for all to hear with a resounding and strong.
“Yes I do!” Nearly shouting my acceptance I beamed with pride.
“Then I gladly pronounce you Co-Alpha alongside Aaric Layton of the Phoenix Warriors!” he replied. Then a small headband of shells was placed on my head. I smiled at Aaric, but to my surprise Aaric pulled me to him, then leaned down and kissed me softly.
To see my baby girl up on the Ceremonial Stage, about to become the Alpha that she was destined to become has been a dream come true for me.
I couldn’t stop the tears that were freely flowing down my face. Kayne, who was sitting beside me handed me a box of tissues, that he so graciously remembered to bring.
If I had had any worries about the Ceremony going off without a hitch I didn’t have to worry, because nothing bad happened. The Ceremonial Leader was picked of course by Dakota and did the job he was picked to do wonderfully.
When the time came for Allysonn to take the Vow needed to become an Alpha, the whole Grounds were so quiet, we could probably have heard a pin drop.
When Ally was announced the Co-Alpha, and the Ceremonial Leader raised his hands up over both of Aaric’s and Ally’s heads, the Grounds erupted in applause and laughter and a whole lot of congratulations. Then to my wonderful surprise Aaric leaned down and kissed my beautiful daughter. I once again started crying. I wrapped my arms around Kane, which he took as an invitation to kiss me then, I didn’t care. I was beyond happy. My family was finally complete.
Kayne then took this moment to get down on one knee and say to me, “Abigail Jane Mortigan, will you do the honor of becoming my wife, and joining your life with mine?”
Before I could think to answer him, I was in his arms kissing him deeply.
After the Ceremonial Leader had pronounced us both Alphas of the Phoenix Warriors and everyone started clapping and hollering, I was smiling widely, I was completely caught by surprise when Aaric leaned down and kissed me gently.
Though it was not my first kiss, I had wished it was because his kiss was so perfect. I wanted to kiss him again when he pulled away but all I could do was look at him. The look in his eye made me feel as if he and I were the only two people in the world at that time. Then suddenly, we were swept off the stage into the waiting crowd below. I had only caught glimpses of Kane kneeling in front of my mother before we were swept up in the crowd and taken further away from them.
Laughing, and clapping each of us on the shoulder we were brought to the reception area of the Ceremony. We were both placed at a high table where we could see everyone who had attended. I had never seen so many people in one place. In fact, all I wanted to do at this point was to be alone with Aaric so we could talk about that kiss.
Of course, what was expected of me now was to sit there next to Aaric, listening to the many speeches by the numerous people who had attended the Ceremony, many of which I had no idea who they were. Aaric, however, reached under the table and took ahold of my hand and gave it a squeeze to let me know he knew what I was thinking, or at least I think that was what he meant by it.
When I had gone to her room before the ceremony, I had meant to kiss her then, but I soon came to realize that it wasn’t the right time. She had just been told of her destiny and she was still not sure about it. If I had kissed her then she probably would have slapped me and pushed me away. So, I took my chance after the Ceremony was over and I did not even think about it, I just leaned down and kissed her and boy am I glad I did. Now I cannot stop thinking about that kiss, and I so want to kiss her again.
Throughout the many speeches that were given by the oh so many well-wishers I would steal glances at Ally. I had thought she was beautiful before tonight, but tonight she absolutely glows with beauty. I decided to reach under the table and give her hand a squeeze, just to have some contact with her and to see if she would look my way. She smiled at me when I did, and my insides felt like it went to jelly.
I knew at that moment I would have to find the right moment to ask her to marry me. I would not be able to live my life without Allysonn Blackwood in it.
In the months since I was inducted into the family coven, I had been busy training and learning from my own Father. I had spent more time with him in the last few months than I ever had growing up.
Being a Vampire was harder than it looked. Learning to feed properly, which if I was being honest with myself was getting easier. I really liked the sweet taste of blood now. I also had to learn how to fight properly, and then learning all the ins and outs of the Coven had me spending hours at night after I had finished my homework from school, working on it.
“Sam, come on put your weight into that punch, if you don’t your enemy can get behind you and rip your head off and then where will we be?” my father yelled at me during one such training sessions after school. I just shook off what he said and tried again.
“No, No, No. Like this,” and my father showed me how I should be punching using my entire body to throw the punch and not just my shoulders, arm and hand.
“Okay, father, I think I have it now,” I replied and set myself up in front of the punching bag yet again and punched as hard as I could just as he had just showed me. The bag burst completely in two with concrete dust flying everywhere.
“That’s my boy. I knew you could do it,” said my father beaming. Later that night over dinner, I finally found out what all the whispered conversations had all been about.
My father had appeared just as my mother had announced dinner was ready. We had barely sat down and started eating my mother’s famous chicken cacciatore with marinara sauce when my father stated, “Son, it’s time you learn what you are training for, as you will be leading us in this adventure.” I just looked at him with surprise.
“What is going on Father?” I had asked.
He responded with a smile and said, “Son, our Coven is about to face an old enemy that is destroying our way of life. The humans around us are so very unaware of their existence, and this enemy also threatens their way of life.” He had my interest peaked at this statement. What enemy could be so vile, was the question floating around in my head.
“What is this enemy, Father?” I asked.
“Son, have you heard of werewolves?” he replied looking at me. I gulped down the bite I had just taken because if I hadn’t, I would have choked on it.
“Werewolves, Father?” I asked as a question.
“Yes son, these werewolves are shape shifters, who are determined to destroy everything that Our Coven has worked so hard to build and destroy the humans with us.”
I sat there thinking about what he had just said. “How are we to destroy them instead Father?” I finally asked.
“Well Son when you head over to the Headquarters tomorrow, our strategy will be laid out, and you will be able to determine where you think the best possible place for our attack to take place is.” He said quickly ending the conversation, by turning to my mother and engaging her in another conversation.
When I was finally in bed later that night, I laid awake thinking about everything I had learned from my father at dinner. I knew the responsibility that my Father and Our Coven were giving me was hu
mongous and I did not want to do anything to disappoint them.
When I had finally fallen asleep, I dreamt about werewolves attacking us and wiping out my entire coven because I wasn’t able to protect any of us, I screamed out “Ally, where are you???” and woke myself up drenched in sweat.
I had heard Sam scream out and went running towards his room and knocked on his door. “Sam, Sam are you all right?”
“Yes, Mother, I’m fine go back to bed. Sorry for waking you.” he responded from behind his closed door.
“Are you sure you are okay?” I asked again.
“Yes, Mother I am just fine. It was just a nightmare, please just go back to bed. I will talk with you in the morning.” he said just a bit harsher than he should have.
“Oh, okay,” I responded and went back to my room sullenly, thinking the little boy that would run into my room at night when he had nightmares was all grown up now, and won’t talk to me about his nightmares. Besides, he had called out for that wolf, and that was no good, I thought to myself. When I got back to my room, my husband asked me what all the ruckus was about.
“Your son just screamed out asking where that Wolf was at.” I informed him.
“You are kidding me.” He replied.
“Why would I joke about something like that? I told you I didn’t want them being friends way back when I found that birthmark on her Robert, so if Sam proves to not be able to be the leader that he needs to be because of his friendship with that wolf, it will be your fault.” I said and crawled back in bed.
After the Ceremony where I became an Alpha of our Pack, alongside Aaric, things started moving even quicker than they had before. Dakota had sent for not only Aaric and I but my mother and Kane as well. During this meeting, Dakota told us his plans for the “War” that would soon take place. It was Dakota’s wish that the Vampires and their followers would be completely wiped out and destroyed so that we werewolves could then rule this area like we were meant to.
